Newcastle Vipers have beaten off competition from a host of clubs to sign up rising star Stephen Wallace for another season.

Great Britain Under-20 forward Wallace, the top point scorer in the World U-20 Championships in Lithuania in January, had attracted interest from both the Elite and British National leagues following an impressive season in a Vipers jersey.

Wallace showed a growing maturity as Newcastle retained the Findus Cup last season, and having re-signed the 20-year-old, coach Rob Wilson has now arguably the strongest British contingent of any team in the country.

Wilson said: "We were very keen on Stephen returning. He was one of the best, if not the best, up-and-coming British players last season."